NFL Reverses Course On Controversial ‘Race-Norming’, Awards More Settlement Funds To Black Retirees – Opinion

The NFL has been caught flat-footed after a practice called “race-norming” was exposed to the public nearly two years ago. RedStateThe original report was made in June 2021.

The practice of “race-norming” is the assumption that Black players have a “lower cognitive function” base, and thus settlements on brain injury claims are calculated by adjusting for race. This has made it more difficult for Black NFL players to show that they were cognitively impaired during their NFL careers.

You can feel ashamed if you find this practice disturbing. You’re a decent human being.

A larger public outcry was sparked when two former players sued the NFL for their policy of “race-norming” to determine which retirees were entitled to compensation from a $1 billion concussion settlement. For the purpose of determining whether retired NFL players were cognitively damaged as a result of playing professional sports, they use medical examinations and other tests. Obviously, “race-norming” gives the house better odds, and it is clear the NFL benefits from doing everything possible to restrict payouts to injured players.

Now, two years later, hundreds of former players have had their medical tests “rescored” to correct the egregious bias, meaning a new slate of payments will be going out to men formerly denied compensation.

Starting at The Associated Press

NFL families are celebrating the end of a decade-long legal dispute over concussions. The payouts that were approved Friday have been announced. The 2020 lawsuit unearthed the fact the dementia tests were being “race-normed” — adjusted due to assumptions that Black people have a lower cognitive baseline score. Last year’s settlement changes were made to ensure that the tests are race-blind.

The new results will add millions to the NFL’s payouts for concussion-linked brain injuries. Unofficial league spokesperson did not answer a Friday phone call or reply to emails in recent weeks requesting comment regarding the rescoring.

The tests were rearranged for 646 Black retired persons, nearly all of whom qualified for dementia compensation. These awards have been placed on a grading system after testing.

Sixty-one are classified as having early to moderate dementia, with average awards topping $600,000; nearly 250 more have milder dementia and will get up to $35,000 in enhanced medical testing and treatment, according to the claims administrator’s report.

Some people are concerned that the original denial of their claim may not have been given to everyone. They can apply for rescorement. Former players may have dropped out of the game, resorted to homelessness, addiction or simply wanted to be alone. Advocates representing the injured promise to continue making every effort to ensure that no one is forgotten.

The league’s tally just passed $1 billion in approved claims. Unfortunately, actual payouts are now at $916 million due to appeals and audits. Payouts include awards for four other compensable diagnoses: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease and deaths before April 2015 involving CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

The process of reviewing the more complex dementia claims has been slowed down and there have been increased appeals and audits.

“Their mantra is deny, deny, delay until you die,” said James Pruitt, 58, a wide receiver who played for Indianapolis and Miami from 1986 to 1991.

Shoutout to AP’s MaryClaire Dale, who has been one of the lone reporters pursuing this story.

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